News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise was conducted by officers and men of Central Naval Command (CNC) and Special Forces of the Nigerian Navy.

Commander, Nigerian Naval Ship, Soroh, Commodore Habib Usman, told NAN that the exercise was aimed at appraising the operational capabilities of the forces on ground, as well as conduct surveillance on territorial waters.

Usman, who led the CNS team, said the Exercise Eagle Eye was an annual sea inspection operation by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe-Ibas.

He said the exercise was also aimed at flushing out maritime criminals and securing Nigerian marine assets and territory.

“The exercise is part of the Chief of Naval Staff annual event. It started on December 1.

“The first phase was the riverine operations involving Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. What you have witnessed in Bayelsa is the team covering the state.

“The objective of the exercise is to assess the operational capability of the naval forces on ground.

“During the operation, a number of arrests were made; a number of militant camps have been razed and a number of illegal refineries have also been destroyed.

“This is all part of the ongoing efforts to rid the riverine areas of the Niger Delta of all forms of illegalities so that economic activities can thrive.” Usman said.

Usman said the naval forces arrested four sea pirates when their camp was raided, adding that they (suspects) were armed with sophisticated weapons.

He added that on sighting naval troops, the suspects opened fire and the troops repelled and arrested them.

Usman stated that the arrested suspects were being interrogated to enable the force track other criminals in their camps.

On criminalities in the region, Usman urged the Niger Delta youths to embrace peace, look for legitimate businesses to do and shun all forms of illegalities.

Highlights of the exercise were the visit of the CNS team to various Naval boat houses, inspection of military drills and performance of simulation operations on counter – piracy attacks, among others.